African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialPreliminary efficacy, feasibility and safety of intra-umbilical oxytocin to reduce the time to placental delivery at caesarean section: an exploratory randomized trial.
Delayed placental separation either after vaginal birth or caesarean birth is an important cause of postpartum haemorrhage, among other causes such as uterine atony. Intra-umbilical oxytocin has been shown to reduce the time to placental delivery after vaginal birth. However, the efficacy of intra-umbilical oxytocin to reduce the time to placental delivery following caesarean section birth is not known. ⋯ Administration of intra-umbilical oxytocin is feasible, safe and has potential to reduce the time of placental delivery at caesarean section. Further studies involving larger sample sizes are justified.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Case ReportsReproductive health challenges of an African school girl: a case report on non-bulging imperforate hymen with haematocolpometra during Covid-19 pandemic.
Several schoolgirls attain reproductive age with undiagnosed gynaecological problems which pose challenges in their livelihood. These conditions include precocious puberty, congenital reproductive tract abnormalities, and delayed sexual development. Many children with these conditions face additional challenges including physical pain, psychological trauma and delayed diagnosis. ⋯ A wide rather than narrow partial hymenectomy prevents obliteration of the hymenal orifice after surgery for imperforate hymen. There is a need for timely interventions such as counselling and community awareness that prevent undue consequences of an imperforate hymen and its treatment including pain and possible inability to pass cultural virginity test in some African communities.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
The practice of using repurposed medications as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 by healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that has been reported in virtually every country. Healthcare workers (HCW) are more at risk of COVID-19 than the general population making them a priority group for vaccination. Before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, some HCW were using some repurposed, unapproved drugs to possibly prevent the disease. This study evaluated the frequency and pattern of drug use for COVID-19 prevention. ⋯ Several HCW in Nigeria take drugs to possibly prevent COVID-19. These medications may not offer significant protection against COVID-19. There is an urgent need to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in HCW in Nigeria.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of Gurage zone public hospital, South West Ethiopia.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the leading cause of respiratory failure and death of a neonate in today's world, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. ⋯ the prevalence of RDS in the study area was high. Thus, healthcare providers should act on those factors with appropriate follow-up for early detection of the problem and prevent the risk.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Prevalence, causes and associated factors of visual impairment and blindness among older population in outreach site, Northwest Ethiopia. A dual center cross-sectional study.
The study aimed to determine the prevalence, causes, and associated factors of visual impairment and blindness among the older population in Outreach sites, Northwest Ethiopia. ⋯ the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in this study was found to be high. Age, residency, educational status, occupational status, and history of eye examination were significantly associated with visual impairment and blindness.